THE Exxon Corporation, which along with several affiliated companies is facing a multi-million dollar lawsuit following last year's Castle Peak power station blast, has asked for more time to respond to the legal action.
A company spokesman at the giant oil corporation's headquarters in Irving, Texas, confirmed yesterday that it had requested and been granted a time extension to reply to charges made in the lawsuit of Hong Kong barrister Michael Ford.
Mr Ford's lawyer, Stuart Speiser, said from Florida yesterday that Exxon's request had been granted by his team because a judge would almost certainly have allowed an extension if asked.
Exxon originally had 50 days from the filing of Mr Ford's court papers on July 19 and 21 to reply to his interrogatories and hand over certain documents, including the so-called blue report which Hong Kong partner China Light and Power (CLP) did not release to the blast inquest. The company now has until September 20.
However, it is believed Exxon may try to have the lawsuit blocked by arguing that Texas is not the proper venue for court action.
It has already stated that it considers Hong Kong the proper domain, as the blast occurred here and because the power station was run by CAPCO, a Hong Kong-registered company formed in a partnership between an Exxon affiliate and CLP.
Meanwhile, the United Democrats of Hong Kong are considering a proposal to set up a Legislative Council select committee to investigate last August's fatal Castle Peak power station explosion.